I enjoyed the article, and affirm that piano is the foundation for good musical understanding and mastery. While I perform publicly on another instrument entirely, I play piano joyfully (badly) only for me or for very close friends. Piano does indeed make a mode of expression accessible to anyone who will pursue it.
I had a friend a number of years ago with a GORGEOUS 6 foot Steinway grand in her living room. I’d come over after a 3-4 hour gig on my other instrument and play this wonderful instrument for another 2-3 hours. It was a total joy of music, those particular days!
“.... affirm that piano is the foundation for good musical understanding and mastery.”
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That’s what I had always understood, and thus one of my life goals is to learn to play keyboards first, and if I live long enough, God willing, other instruments.
I can’t remember the specific reasons why the piano is considered so instructive in understanding music, but it is nice to see that concept affirmed.
I sat and played my piano every morning for well over a year, and then one day I just stopped. Didn’t seem like I was getting anywhere.